NHA CPT practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q11How is serum collected?
✓ Correct answer: D. Venipuncture.
Blood samples are collected in different ways. Clotted blood, serum, whole blood, and plasma are all collected using the venipuncture technique. Capillary blood is collected through either fingerstick or heelstick.
Q12Which of the following is NOT a disorder of the arteries?
✓ Correct answer: D. hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are a disorder of the veins. They are swollen veins in the walls of the anus, often due to prolonged exertion or pressure during defecation.
Q13What course of action should be done when you are unable to palpate a vein of the patient's dominant arm?
✓ Correct answer: C. Check the other arm.
In this case, the prioritized step would be checking the other arm. You are not allow to guess the location of a vein. If you have tried every method and still cannot find a suitable vein, it is recommended to ask for assistance of a more senior phlebotomist to obtain the sample, rather than attempting capillary sampling of multiple tests.
Q14Tina is a phlebotomist with years of experience and a gentle touch. She is the only tech on duty, when five stat requests, for five different patients, are ordered simultaneously. Before beginning her run, Tina takes the time to call the floors to determine which stat order is most critical. What (if anything) did Tina do wrong?
✓ Correct answer: A. Tina did not do anything wrong.
Tina understands prioritizing her runs is her responsibility. Using common sense along with her knowledge and understanding of the requested stat tests help her to determine the best order of the stat draws. Meeting the needs of the most critical patients first is what guides Tina when prioritizing in this situation.
Q15How should the patient’s arm be placed for a fingerstick?
✓ Correct answer: B. It should be hyperextended.
<p>For fingersticks, the best place to collect capillary blood samples are on the 3<sup>rd</sup> or 4<sup>th</sup> fingers on the non-dominant hand. It is beneficial to massage the finger to increase blood flow. For a fingerstick, the patient can sit or lie down. His/her arm should be hyperextended. </p>
Q16Justin is in his patient’s room; he has introduced himself, properly identified the patient, and is now explaining the venipuncture procedure. He says, “Your doctor has requested a blood test; the lab will contact your doctor with the results. I will draw a small sample from your vein so the lab can run the test. You may feel a small pinch.”<br/><br/>Why is Justin telling the patient this?
✓ Correct answer: D. Justin is informing the patient of the procedure, which is required for informed consent
Justin is informing the patient of the blood withdrawal procedure he is about to perform, which is necessary to obtain informed consent. Informed consent issues are the largest area of litigation. This is why phlebotomists are required to explain procedures to patients in easy-to-understand terms.
Q17When a person changes from lying down to standing up which of the following decreases?
✓ Correct answer: C. blood volume
Blood volume decreases when a person changes from lying down to standing up.
Q18Which of the following is NOT a disease for which droplet precautions must be used?
✓ Correct answer: C. enteric infections
For enteric infections contact precautions should be used. Droplet precautions should be used in all of the other three choices.
Q19For a fingerstick, how should the finger be cleaned?
✓ Correct answer: D. With 70% isopropyl alcohol.
For fingersticks, the best place to collect capillary blood samples are on the 3<sup>rd</sup> or 4<sup>th</sup> fingers on the non-dominant hand. It is beneficial to massage the finger to increase blood flow. The finger should be cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol. The finger should be completely dry for the fingerstick.
Q20Which of the following agencies requires a safety device on needles and/or tube holder or syringe?
✓ Correct answer: D. OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an organization that enforces safety and health legislation.<br/><br/>According to OSHA, if a needle does not have a safety device, the tube holder or syringe must have a safety device to prevent accidental needlesticks.
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Theory